Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm. Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne

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Monday, July 20, 2015

Fed Ed's McCord Connection

Last week, federal District Court Judge John E. Jones III quietly issued an Order that sheds light on how the pay-to-play investigation in Allentown and Reading got its start. Judge Jones canceled a presentence conference for former State Treasurer Rob McCord that had been scheduled for June. Attorneys have been directed to give him a call on August 17. He's in no hurry to impose sentence against a state official who pleaded guilty six months ago to shaking down vendors for campaign contributions. That's because McCord is obviously providing prosecutors with useful information. His attorney admitted as much to the press at the time of McCord's February guilty plea. "In the fullness of time . . . you will have a lot to write about." That prediction has come true.

Before McCord and Edwin Pawlowski ever embraced, they were running against each other for Governor. Pawlowski dumped $104,000 of his local campaign treasury into a new PAC he established just for the Governor's race. He did manage to raise almost $350,000, including money from most of the usual NIZ pals. Political consultant Miked Fleck was paid $33,500 and spinmeister Joe McDermott (a former Morning Call reporter and long-time Pawlowski apologist) earned $4,000. But Fed Ed got little support outside of his urban growth regime. He needed more gas in the tank for a Governor's race than he was going to get.

That will happen when you deride communities outside of Allentown, like Nazareth, as the "boonies," while simultaneously trying to steal their earned income tax.

On February 3, 2014, Pawlowski bowed out of the Governor's race, claiming that his "time and focus needs to be concentrated on the continued revitalization of Allentown." He immediately endorsed Rob McCord, who was standing by his side along with several Pawlowski puppets like State Reps. Mike Schlossberg, Pete Schweyer and Julio "I wanna be Mayor next" Guridy. Denying there had been any deal. McCord did admit that Pawlowski would play a "vital role" in the McCord administration. That very day, Pawlowski gave McCord $10,000 of other people's money from his Governor PAC, and sweetened the pot with another $5,000 on May 8, 2014.

Miked Fleck, who had already earned $33,500 from Pawlowski, now started billing McCord. He was paid $42,301.19 for his services between February 6, 2014 and May 18, 2014.

Representing two gubernatorial candidates, Fleck had raked in $75,801.19.

McCord did manage to pick up some Lehigh Valley support in a March visit. Easton Mayor Sal Panto, a Pawlowski and Fleck ally, gleefully bashed now Governor Wolf, claiming that “Democrats want someone who wants to work and earn a paycheck.” Later that day, Fed Ed took McCord on a tour of his realm at the Allentown's Farmers Market, using Schlossberg as a flunkie to carry the food bestowed upon the duo. According to reporter John Micek, who was shadowing them that day, both Pawlowski and Schlossberg "will ramble on about [McCord's] wonderfulness if they’re asked."

But things weren't so wonderful for McCord. For the first time, he was behind in the polls. Despite sinking $2 million of his own money into the race, he was unable to match Wolf.

So he broke the law.

According to an agreed statement of facts submitted at the time of his guilty plea, McCord was criminally dunning both a law firm and a property management company, both of which were doing business with the state.

The shakedown at the law firm was in the form of obviously recorded telephone calls placed by McCord, between April 18 and May 6, 2014. "[E]ven if I don't win, I'm still the State treasurer for 2 1/2 years," he warned in one of them. "You are going to have the State treasurer looking to screw you," he threatened in another. .

With the property management company, he was peeved that he had not received a promised contribution. He wanted $100,000 and warned this company that he "could take an upside and turn it into a downside here, you know?"

He also had a bundler (campaign worker who solicits and collects campaign contributions from others) warn this firm that the were turning a friend into an enemy and to say things "I don't wanna' say."

McCord's blatant extortion Pointed agents in the direction of McCord's pals, according to the Inky. It appears this led them in the direction of Fleck, Pawlowski and Vaughn.

"McCord's blatant extortion Pointed agents in the direction of McCord's pals, according to the Inky. It appears this led them in the direction of Fleck, Pawlowski and Vaughn." Opinion, fact, or speculation?

Would love to hear more about the Lehigh Valley political elite and their beach houses on the Jersey Shore. Word is McNeil is one of them. In fairness he is not alone. When did these guys get these place and how does a politico put together the cash to do it?

Schlossberg is going to be used as chump change in the first round of wheeling and dealing for plea bargains.McDermotts a hacks hack, a slime ball spinmeister and less successful boot licker from the Fleck Factory. He's deeply damaged goods.

So, if I read this correctly, Pawlowski is tied into the McCord investigation. An investigation that is snaring other names and business participants along the way. Does this mean the shady appearance of the NIZ operation is NOT the real focus of Pawlowski's contracts behavior investigation?

That would be too bad. The NIZ management goes WAY beyond cozy. It's almost surreal.

Joe McDermott used to pepper this blog frequently with comments defending Fed Ed's gentrification, and disparaging his critics by likening them to the same people who worry about the black helicopters. McDermott and Nerl have both been used to create good will with The Morning Call and to spin stories. For example, when Mayor Hozza was trashed over asbestos, that was Nerl. I know bc he tried to spin me, too. Also, the Syrian flag nonsense was Nerl. This all backfired.

", Pawlowski is tied into the McCord investigation. An investigation that is snaring other names and business participants along the way. Does this mean the shady appearance of the NIZ operation is NOT the real focus of Pawlowski's contracts behavior investigation?"

I suspect that what is being investigated in official corruption, which can take many forms. The McCord matter led the feds to Allentown and reading.

If McCord was the start of it, then the Feds showed extraordinary patience it rooting out all the possible trails. Even more amazing is that Ed launched a Senate campaign AFTER McCord came clean. Did Ed really think he would escape unscathed? If so, That is the epitome of self delusion and inflated ego.

I am told by my federal employee friend that the FBI is notoriously awful at bringing these investigations to a close. And, I was told that if they already had the evidence, the raid wouldn't have been necessary in the first place. What do you (Bernie and readers) think?

Monkey Momma, Raids like those in Allentown and Reading are highly unusual and are undertaken only if there already is good reason to believe that criminal activity is afoot. I believe the feds are seeking evidence to corroborate what already is on tape, as well as what they have been told by informants and cooperating witnesses.

This is a tough one to call, monkey momma. I read someplace else, such raids are undertaken BECAUSE enough evidence was in hand. In that, once the raid is conducted, everyone becomes overly cautious.

I'm beginning to believe the raid was because of McCord, not Pawlowski, although Pawlowski actions of his own could have been exposed. So, does the FBI run with newly discovered suspicions about Allentown politics? I guess, only time will tell.

With all of his "double secret informers," Bernie should help jump in here!

It's time to revisit NIZ legislation. Aside from the opportunity for corruption, there's no way the money can be repaid by cities like Reading, Harrisburg, and Allentown. Politicians get fat. Developers and connected companies get fat. Taxpayers get the bill.

Two key details about McCord must not be overlooked: (1) his most ardent supporter was notorious UFCW Local 1776 chieftain Wendell Young IV, and (2) his key adviser was former Congressman Joe Sestak's now-deceased brother, Richard Sestak. Want to know what's really going on? THIS is the angle that you must explore...

The Democrat Party must not be negatively affected by any of this. Entirely too much has been invested. It is those evil Republicans who do not care. The Democrat Party earned their street cred eons ago. I can't stand these racist haters who just don't like progress in the 21st Century.